Evaluation of a radio-frequency/vacuum dryer for eradicating the pinewood nematode in green sawn wood

Three exploratory drying runs were carried out to evaluate a radio-frequency/vacuum (RF/V) kiln for the eradication of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The unit was equipped with parallel electrodes operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Infested loblolly and eastern white pine boards were shipped from Athens, Ga., to Vancouver, B.C. Evaluation of the three runs showed that nematode mortality was largely a function of wood temperature. Wood moisture content was also considered to be a factor in nematode mortality when radio frequency waves were used as the heat source. The greatest efficiency, in terms of nematode eradication, was to heat the wood to a temperature greater than 56?C prior to drying. The RF/V kiln could be used solely as a heat-treatment chamber to eradicate pests in green lumber.

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